President’s Message: Business Development Update

“Evidence” is a critical element anyone uses when trying to make their case. It’s obviously important in a courtroom and there’s no good substitute for it in the business world either.

Hello brothers and sisters.

Over the last couple of years we have increased our efforts behind our relatively new Business Development Department.

And now, the evidence of their success is starting to roll in.

Working under the direction of Jerry Westerholm and Ray Kasmark, our team of 12 representatives spend every day working to get in front of owners and decision makers.

Whether that involves a thank you to current customers or an introduction to prospective new ones, the goal is always to build on the excellence and reputation of the IBEW brand.

Working directly with local leadership, here’s a very quick snapshot of some of the results we’re seeing.

Our efforts with Local 24 in Baltimore have spearheaded a new agreement with Sheetz Gas and Convenience Stores for a major expansion across multiple states.

In Detroit with Local 58 we’re building Little Caesar’s Arena – the new home of the Red Wings and Pistons. Our Code of Excellence program, which we used to help get the job, made such a good impression that it is now being used across all crafts on that site.

Local 617 in San Mateo has done work with Facebook that has been so impressive that we are now doing the lion’s share of Facebook’s work in other markets.

That is a shining example of how one Local’s relationship with a customer in one area can positively impact opportunities with that same customer in others.

In Minot, North Dakota, our Business Development team worked with Local 714 to secure work on the massive North Dakota Access Pipeline.

Then, there’s Local 38 in Toledo where there is already a high percentage of union market share. Are they sitting around and gloating? No. They are aggressively using recovery agreements and alternate classifications to make sure things stay that way.

Finally, let me wrap up with this one.

In New Albany, Georgia, we worked with a small local – Local 1531. With the help of some of their contractors, we got in front of the owners of a soon-to-be-built, 42-megawatt, bio-mass power plant. We got the job, but the workforce needed was larger than that of the entire Local’s membership! So, in comes our Membership Development Department to grow the local by another 50%. A large IBEW workforce will man that job.

How’s that for teamwork??

Brothers and sisters, while you’re out there giving your best every day on the job, I just want to make sure you know that the people that support you are out there giving their best too.

The evidence shows our Business Development Department is making a difference, and I’m sure they’re just getting started.

Thanks for the time. Thanks for the click. We’ll see you again soon. And remember, every hour counts.